Razor blade holder



Oct. 23, 1951 E;- F HARDEY 2,572,261

RAZOR BLADE HOLDER 4 Filed Nov. 12, 1949 Zmvenfor Patented ct. 23, 1951 #OFFICE RAZOR BLADE HOLDERv Edwin F. Hartley, Kansas City, Mo. Y Application November 12, 1949, Serial No. 126,860

This invention relates to a device for retaining and supporting a safety razor blade with the cutting edges in position for stropping and/or honing and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character that is of simple and inexpensive construction.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a blade support which is easily and accurately operated, to provide a blade support which imparts the curvature in a double-edged blade that is necessary to bring the beveled faces which form one side of the respective cutting edges into a common plane for simultaneously conditioning one side of both edges, and to provide a supporting device which securely retains the blade from shifting out of position and which does not require separate clamping devices.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig-1 is a perspective view of a razor blade retaining andsupporting device for conditioning the cutting edges rof a double-edged blade and embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal section through the device.

k- Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the method of using lthe device in holding the razor blade in position for conditioning the edges thereof. Fig. 5 is an enlarged, transverse section through the blade supporting device and a razor blade supported thereby, particularlyy illustrating the curvature imparted therein to bring the bevel faces on one side of the bladerinto position to be conditioned by ya honeor stropping device.

Referring more in detailto the drawings:

1 designates a razor blade supporting and retaining device constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is particularly adapted for thin, flexible blades 2 having normally flat faces 3 and 4 beveled on the edges as at 5, 6, l

.and 8 to provide parallel cutting edges 9 and l0.

The ends of such blades are usually provided with tonguelike extensions Il and l2 that are of less width than the blade to provide shoulders |3--l4 and |5-I6 at the ends of the cutting .edges 9 and I0. The device yl includes a platelike body portion Il that is formed of sheet material and has parallel side edges I8 and I9 adapted to extend along and support the cutting edges of uthe blade, as later described. .The body portion is curved transversely to provide a concave blade supporting .surface which extends longitudinally of the Abody portion and has, the curvature necessary to support the beveledfaces at opposite side edges 5 1 or 6-8 of the blade in coplanar relation. The body portion of the device is of longer length than the bladeV to provided a straplike anchoring portion 2| that extends transverselyand has a lower face 22 spaced upwardly from the curved surface 20 by offsets 23 and 24, a distance substantially corresponding tothe thickness of the blade. Extending along the portion2l is a flange 25 that is turned upwardly from the metal ofthe body portion to provide a slotlike opening 26 into which one of the tonguelike extensions of the blade is inserted when it is to be moved under the anchoring portion 2l.

To facilitate entrance of the tongue of the blade and to increase the contact pressuretherewith, JPhe anchoring portion is preferably inclinedydownwardly from the slot toward the end of theV body portion, as shown in Figs. l and2. The-,anchoring portion is also curved transversely substantially conforming to the curvature of the body portion of the holder. The offsets 23 and 24 are spaced apart a sufficient distance-to permit ready insertion of a tongue of the blade therebetween and engage the shoulders with ends v2l and 28 of the offsets. l u y y The opposite end of the body portion terminatesV in a neck 29 having substantially the width of the tongue at the opposite end of therblade and which connects with a linger gripping. portion 30 by means of van angular offset 3l. f

Turning upwardly from the plane ofthe vbody portion on the respective sides of the neck portion 29 are ears 32 and 33 that are spacedapart towpassthe tongue of the blade therethrough and to engage the shoulders at that end of ,the blade, so that the blade is anchored against longitudinal movement when pressure is applied to the upper face of the blade to move it into Ycontact with supporting face of the holder. The nger grip portion may be suitably rounded at the outer corners thereof, as indicated at 34, and may be wider than the neck portion toprovide the desired grip, in which case the edges V35 join with the neel; portion in coverging edges 36.

In using the holder, the gripping portion 30 is engaged between the thumb and nger of the left hand whilegthe blade is being inserted with the right hand with, for example, the tongue 4l2 thereonv passingY angularlythrough the slotlike opening 26 until the shoulders I5 and I6 engage against the ends 21 and 28 of the offsets 23 and 24. The blade is then moved toward the supporting surface 20 with the shoulders I5 and I6 of the blade pivoting against the end faces 21 and 28, until the upper face of the tongue I2 engages the under face 22 of the anchoring portion 2| of the holder. In this position, the outer portionsof theA shoulders I5 and I6, that is, those portions; adjacfent'Y the ends ofthe cutting edges 9 and I`0,"`are"contactirig the marginal sides" of the body portion of the holder, The thumb of the left hand is then shifted to engage the upper face of the opposite tongue II of the'bladeto.Y

move the tongue downwardly against the curved surface of the neck portion 29.""Du1"ing`this` movement of the blade, the bearing portions o the blade shoulders at the opposite end effect a curvature in that end ofthe blade which as the blade moves downwardly continues toward the tongue' I I., which has been engaged by the thumb of the left hand. As the shoulders I3v and. I4. of thev blade pass the e'ars or stops" 32..and' 33, the blade is stopped` from Vshifting away from' the stop portions '21 and 28. In this position, the flat upper bevel'faces 5 and I of the blade are ina common plane' and position so that a honing device 31 which may be in the form of a small stone, as shown, can be moved atw'ise along the length or crossiwise of the blade to sharpen and condition the edges thereof. After using the hone, a stropping device (not shown) m'ay'be similarly rubbed along the length of the blade to leffect stropping ofthe edges.

After conditioning the edges at one side of the blade, the pressurebfk the thumb is released on the tongue I I and the normal spring action of the blade tending to restore the 'fiat 'condition thereof automatically raises that endofthe blade upwardly from the supporting 'surface and above the stopea'rs 32 and'. 33 whereby the' tongue I2 at'theopposite endof the blade is readily withdrawn from'the vslot 26 after which theY bladeis turned over so 'that'the opposite'side is inA position to be engagedA by thef'supporting srface of the holder. The blade is'again'm'oved into curved condition, as previouslydescribed, and the honiffgor'stropping device 'is'usedin likel manner on the beveled edges 6 anda" that are then presented and retained a position to'b'e vproperly engaged by the conditioningV instrument. n

"From th'e' 'foregoing`,`it is obvious that I have provided a simple" and i'rieiipensi'v'e device'by whichfa blade is suppo'rted'in properposition to permit honing and/or "stroppin'g" of the edges thereof so that the common'twoedged blade may bereconditione'd and kept'in such condition that many shaves may be obtained from a single Blade. l n, Y f

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: u M

lg'AdeVice for holding a relatively thin flexible double edge razor blade having to'ngueilikeexl tensions at"oppos'ite` ends comprising'a blade supporting member having' a transversely curving blade'supporting'surface and a transverse slot-like 'opening at one'r'idof As'faid blade supporting member' adapted to' pass Athe 'tongue-like extensin' 'at one end of thebl'adasaid blade supporting member having aportion extending tiaisversely with'aid 'ripening and' spaced' abve sidfcirvii supporting""srraeejfor 'pressing a` 'inst the tongul-iikxtenjsionjat 'that eiidof t plassend savng'a tongue engaging para@ at "m opposite-'ena df aan tiene 'supporting member adapted to be engaged by the other tongue-like extension of the blade when the blade is pivoted into contact with said supporte ing surface and said other tongue-like extension is pressed against said tongue engaging portion for imparting curvature in the blade to bring the cutting edges at the respective sides of the blade into a substantially common plane.

2v. An device'for holding a relatively thin hexible double edge razor blade having tongue-Alike extensions at opposite ends cmprising a blade supporting member having a transversely curving blade supporting surface and a transverse slotlike opening inset from one end of said member adaptedv to pass therethrough the tongue-like extension at vone end of the blade, said end of the. blade supporting member having the slot being offset upwardly7 from and curved in accordance with said supporting surface, a finger grip at the opposite end of the blade supporting member andY connected theretoA by a neck portion for engaging the other tongueflike extension, and ears disposed at` opposite sides of the neck, portion to guide said other` tongueflike extension therebetween when said other. tongue-like exten-g sion is pressed into. contact with said neck portion to cooperate` with said` odset portion in retaining thej bladein alignment'with theA blade supporting member and` to impart curvature in the. blade for bringing the4 cutting. edgesv atv respective sides of the blade. into a substantially'L common plane,

3. A device for holdingA a relatively thin flexv ible double edge razor blade` having tongueflike extensions at opposite ends comprising a blade supporting member having a, transversely conf, cave blade supporting surface and a transverse slot-like opening at, one,A end` ofV said member adapted to pass the. tongueflike extension at one end of the blade; saidendof the blade sup;-` porting member having. a, part offset upwardly from'said supporting surface and adapted to be engaged bysaid tongueglikeextension, a finger grip at the opposite end. of thesupporting member and connected theretoby a neck portion adapted to be. engaged; withthe, other tongue-like extension of the blade, and ears dispoedat op-v posite sides' of the neck portion to guide the other tongue-like extension into contact. with neck` portion whenthebladelispivoted into contact with said; supportingvv surface., to bringsaid rst named tongue-like.,extensionunder .said oitset portion and said other tongue-like extension of the blade, against saidneck portion for curving. the blade. suicientlyior. bringing the cuttingV edges` atl the respective.,sidesy of the blade into a substaritialiy.` summon` plane..

4. Adevice for hdldingarelatively thin flexible double edge razor. blade having tongue-lilreeif tensions at opposite ends and provided with spaced shoulders;atoppositesides of the tonguelike extensions at, ends ofL cutting` edges` ofA the blade comprising, aA blade. supporting member having a transversely. curving blade supporting surface anda transverse slot-like opening inset. from one end` of. said membervk adapted`v to pass the tongueflike extension atione end ofi-the blade, said end of the blade supporting: member having the slotbeingoiset.upwardly from said support ing surface forforming stopengaging faces for the shoulders at that end of theblade and having said offset portion. curved correspondingto the curvature ofitheblade `supporting surface, a finger grip connected.. with theoppositeuend oi the supporting membermbyxa neck-,portion adapted-to be engaged by the other tongue-like extension of the blade, and ears disposed at opposite sides of the neck portion to guide said other tonguelike extension therebetween and engage the shoulders at that end of the blade when the blade is pivoted into contact with said supporting surface to bring said first-named tongue-like extension under said offset portion and said other tongue-like extension against the neck portion to impart curvature in the blade for bringing the cutting edges at respective sides of the blade into a substantially common plane.

EDWIN F. HARDEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,608,841 De Canio Nov. 30, 1926 1,945,201 Periolat Jan. 30, 1934 1,978,857 Chalmers Oct. 30, 1934 2,041,010 MeDiarmid May 19, 1936 2,088,401

Bodecker July 27, 1937 

